It has been nearly a century & a half since trenches were dug in America -- not nearly as long for the lands of Europe -- but there are even older trenches which were dug not with shovels or trenching tools, but with wagon wheels. The Natchez Trace might be the most well-known; but there are traces & pikes from the 18th & 19th Century all over the USA. &, interestingly these trenches were also cut for tranches. Some portions of the Trace have been preserved in Mississippi & in places are as much as 15 or 20 feet below the surrounding terrain. Surely there are similar tracks in Europe & others in the world.

In Randolph County, Illinois, where I grew up, there is a preserved early 19th Century Covered Bridge that was part of such a trace that was only about 15 miles in length. Little of the trace remains because the way was laid with "planks" (halved logs) for the most part. It connected the Shawnee Trail to the Mississippi River at the County Seat.

I've read about those Southern Traces or trails, the famous and infamous ones. I always prefer the naturally grown trails to the straight ones concieved on designers' tables and bulldozer made.I've found it more difficult to find walking roads in North America than in Europe, but then I've never been beneath the Chicago- Monterey line.

I've read about those Southern Traces or trails, the famous and infamous ones. I always prefer the naturally grown trails to the straight ones concieved on designers' tables and bulldozer made.I've found it more difficult to find walking roads in North America than in Europe, but then I've never been beneath the Chicago- Monterey line.

Well, then, you have a very large portion of the USA left to explore. Illinois alone extends over 500 miles south of Chicago. There are two trails in Illinois that I've long intended to hike. The Lincoln Trail goes from New Salem to Springfield. The Boy Scouts award a ribbon to those who complete the hike. I was scheduled to go with my scout troop but missed the trip due to illness. There is also a hiking/riding trail that extends east-west across southern Illinois from the Ohio to the Mississippi south of Carbondale. It is maintained by the Alpha Phi Omega chapter at Southern Illinois University. The service fraternity hikes and cleans-up half the trail every summer.

IMO, trails are on the increase in part because of the decline of the American railroad industry. Rights of way are being converted into trails. I recently read of one such that follows the New River Valley in Virginia. BTW, the New River Bridge on Interstate 77 is a sight to see. It was until recently the tallest single arch highway bridge in the world. Those guys who parachute off building, cliffs and bridges have an annual competition there.

Just! That kind of roads. Some nice pictures there! The Minute Bike Path. This connects to a letter that came in today (link) from a pianist friend, announcing the fundraising acts for the celebration of the 100th birthday of Alan Hovhaness.(2011)

memorial runHis pilgrimage to Mount Monadnock will start on Saturday, May 2, crossing the New Hampshire border to Massachusetts along highways 124, 119, 225. The final miles in Massachusetts will be run on the Minuteman Bike Path from Bedford, through Lexington, and to the Hovhaness family home at 5 Blossom Street in Arlington. Arrival at Blossom Street is planned for 4:00 PM, Wednesday, May 13. He gives concerts in places along the way.

I know Lexington from the bus ride New York- Great Barrington where I used to stay. In fact you can walk and bike there.In California I find it hard to find good walking/biking roads.

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